Plastic film covering farmland, greenhouse structures for light and heat retention, and irrigation pipes for precise water delivery—these common agricultural scenarios have maken agricultural plastics the “invisible assistants” of modern farming. Data shows that China is the largest consumer of agricultural plastics globally, with the usage of agricultural films reaching 1.34 million tons in 2022, covering over 17.5 million hectares. This has significantly contributed to increased food production and farmer income. However, if these plastics are not disposed of properly after their use, they can remain in the soil and gradually break down into microplastics, threatening soil health, crop safety, and even the human food chain. How can we address the issue of “white pollution” caused by agricultural plastics while ensuring food security?
Professor Ji Ma from China Agricultural University and his colleagues have provided insights into this issue through a review paper that systematically examines the “duality” of agricultural plastics. The article has been published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025625).
This contradiction stems from the “duality” of agricultural plastics: they play significant roles in technological, economic, and environmental aspects. For example, plastic films can regulate soil temperature and moisture, suppress weeds and pests, reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and even enhance microbial diversity. In arid regions like Gansu, plastic film covering can increase crop yields by over 180%, equivalent to the development of nearly 4 million hectares of arable land. However, prolonged use and improper disposal can lead to residual plastics that damage soil structure, release chemical additives, and even transmit risks through the “soil–crop–human” chain.
As the world’s largest user of agricultural plastics, China’s management practices provide a reference model for other developing countries. Looking back at its development trajectory, agricultural plastic policies have generally gone through three stages: the early stage (1982–1997) focused primarily on “promoting production”, rapidly promoting plastic technology while neglecting pollution control; the mid-stage (1997–2017) shifted towards a balance of “production and environmental protection”, initiating trials for plastic film recycling and promoting biodegradable materials, though nationwide systematic management remained insufficient; after 2017, the country entered a “systematic planning phase”, gradually establishing a governance system of “policy guidance + technological innovation + multi-party participation” through enhanced thickness standards for plastic films, strengthened legal constraints, and comprehensive chain management.
Despite achieving some progress, challenges remain. Source reduction faces both technical and economic bottlenecks—the degradation effectiveness of biodegradable films is heavily influenced by soil conditions, and their high costs and low acceptance among farmers pose obstacles. The recycling process is hindered by high fragmentation rates of plastic films and significant processing costs, making reliance on government subsidies unsustainable. Furthermore, an inadequate market mechanism limits the sales of recycled products, and issues such as the persistent use of ultra-thin films continue to arise in policy enforcement.
To address these challenges, the research offers specific solutions: first, establish a unified national management framework and develop differentiated strategies based on regional characteristics; second, strengthen technological innovation, focusing on the development of recycling machinery, biodegradable materials, and pollution control technologies suitable for different regions; third, promote coordination between environmental regulation and market mechanisms, cultivating a market for recycled products to reduce dependency on subsidies.
This article reveals a balanced path for developing countries in achieving food security and green transformation through China’s practices—recognizing the irreplaceability of agricultural plastics while minimizing their negative impacts through systematic governance. Sustainable management of agricultural plastics requires the joint participation of policies, technology, and markets, representing a long-term governance battle.
DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025625